Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1887-10-05
auf1srIne in Silence. or FOR
Brothers Life.

Ida Gray was an orphan living WIN
her sisters family In western vnaee.
The Illottsons had welcomeo IeI "
their home and her sisters huSoauu,
Isrbsrt had tried his best to make her
corafortsbIe In time his brother Ralph
fen in love with her, and it was decided
that as soon as the house he was build
ing was completed they should be mar
ried. 100.
II wa. about this time that great
trouble fell upon that peaceful house
hold Herbert lllottson had had some
trouble with a notorious character
named Fallin, and in time bitter
enmity grew up between them.
Illottson found his cattle dying on
by poisen, and one day when he heard
that Fallin had shot his pet dog Juno
in malice. he took down his gun from
the wall, saying: =,
"I'u settle Fallin If 1 catch HIM. ="
Ralph felt alarmed, knowing his bro
theirs temper, and soon followed him
to see what happened. >,
The next day as the family were an
sitting down to breakfast the Sherin
of the county appeared in the doorway
and announced that he had come 10 ar
rest Ralph IllottSon.
The man Fallin had been found
murdered and something of Ralph s
near by. \ curious pipe that had been
given him by Ida Gray, his bethrothed.
May l speak to my brother
moment" :" asked the prisoner, and the
Sheriff. who disliked his task, readily
consented TO give the permission.
Ralph drew his brother aside and
said:
/ s.For Gods sake keep still about last
night. You've got a family and i
haven't. I'll bear the punishment "
but why should you. Neither one
of US should suffer for the crime. In
few DAYS YOU will be n free mani" ana
there was no fear in his face.
Ralph looked wonderingly at the
others face as he was led away
He had resolved that he would make
no defence in the case, and maintained
silence throughout his trial.
The Jury brought him in guilty, with
a Recommendation to mercy on account
IF his hitherto blameleSs character.
He was sentenced to Imprisonment for
life instead of hanging.
When the prison walls closed about
him, in all probability for the whole of
his remaining days, II can be imagined
that there was deep mourning within
the family circle at the farm house, OF
which he had been the light and adorn-
ment-
Ida-his betrothed bride-had one
secret hidden within her heart which
kept her from sinking entirely under
the blow.
To her alone had Ralph broken his
resoluts silence; but 1t was under a
promise of secrecy which she would
have died rather than break
II will ease my heart by telling it to
you, Ida, because, out of all the world,
you are the one who has a right to know
the truth. / am as innocent of the
crime as you are, but L choose to suffer
in place of the real offender; and If you
are the loyal little woman / think you
TO be, you will abide unquestionably by
nv decision"
And Ida raised by his confiding belief
and trust in her to the lofty plane of
self-abnegation upon which Ralph him
self stood, made no outcry.
She accepted the situation in the
same light as Ralph, and if any suspi-
cion as TO the identity of the real sinner
ever entered her mind, it went no far
ther.
She with the remainder of the afflicted
family, went on in the round of daily
duties quietly and uncomplainingly.
Sheriff kendell was not satisfied with
the result of the case, and did his best to
try and find a way to help the prisoner.
A few weeks after Ralph had entered his
prison burglar in a neighboring town
was shot down one night. The Sheriff
was given charge of the mans effects.
What was his delight to find in an old
portmanteau a paper from which had
been torn the gunwads found near the
spot Of Fallin's murder, and the amber
mouthpiece of the pipe.
There was little delay in making out
the paper to set Ralph free, and then
Kendall went to him with the good
news that the real murderer had been
found, and that he was declared TO be
innocent, and was no longer prisoner.
Ralph listened to him in a dazed sort
of way at first and then he astonished
kenden by eXclaming:
'Then Herbert did not kill Fallin,
after all? How l have misjudged him!
1, in my way, have been as unjust to
him as my fellow-men have been TO me- y
'Then that was where the trouble
| lay, was it?" said Kendell. you sac.
rificed yourself for Herbert, did you:
| Well, no one need to tell me there is nc
| affection in the world, after this. But
come, we will go and carry our glad
news TO Herbert and to the rest"
After the first rejoicing at Ralph:
return were over, he turned to his bro
ther.
Herbert he said. "I must max,
a confession before 1 rest contented.
thought you gave Fallin his death-blow
VIII you forgive me for misjudgmg
you so cruelly?''
"You have as much to forgive as
have. Ralph, for 1 thought you haC
taken reveEge upon him for KILN.
Juno. And, instead, you allowed your
self TO be stamped a criminal to shield
the brother you thought guilty. How
can repay you Ralph?"
BY cheering up and trying to lool
Ike yourself again, Herbert. YoI
have grown ten years older since hav,
been in prison.
Il shall grow young again now
Ralph For l feel so happy and light
hearted at seeing you again that it take
me back TO my boyish days"
And. Ida, come here and listen Il
me- want my faithful little girl I,
promise me one thing. Will she?''
What is it, Ralph?" asked Ida
blushing and trembling at the word:
which she knew by intuition were t,
follow.
Let US celebrate the happy day O.
my release by another event which is O
as great importance to my happiness
Let US be married as soon as we cal
summon the minister. Let this be on
bridal day"
BE 1t as you will, Ralph" said Ida
And they were married accordingly
all their neighbors turning out 10 Civ
eclat to the joyous event.
The original method for toughenin,
glass consisted in plunging the vesse
| while bot in An oil hath heated IN 400,